Achieving selfreliance, health and quality of life in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province communities
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New transportation assets to boost development efforts in Western Province
Bruce Kuweng Yokmot (L) receives the fuel line from Mrs Ukins (R) at the Kiunga waterfront, witnessed by the community and OTDF Management.
The Western Province, characterised by its extensive waterways, presents unique transport challenges for development partners delivering essential services. Addressing these challenges, the Nima Ara Women and Children’s Association of the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA), recently received crucial support to enhance their service delivery capabilities.
On 22 May, the association’s executives were delighted to receive from Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) a new administration dinghy with 60-horsepower outboard motor engine that the women funded. The village of Atkamba also received a dinghy with a 40-horsepower outboard motor engine, presented to the landowners who generously donated land for the construction of a community-learning centre.
During the handover ceremony, association President Mrs. Ruth Ukins highlighted the significant challenges faced when accessing remote river communities to deliver impactful projects. She noted: “Recognizing the importance of reliable transportation, our association prioritised and budgeted for a dinghy and outboard motor to enhance our operations.”
Mrs. Ukins expressed gratitude on behalf of the association members to both the Trust Administration team and OTDF for delivering the dinghies. She stated, “In addition to OTDF’s support, I want to acknowledge my dedicated women executives who tirelessly support our development initiatives. We also extend our deepest thanks to the Atkamba landowners for their generosity in providing land for our learning centre. As a token of our appreciation, we present this dinghy and motor to Bruce Kuweng Yokmot and his clan for their invaluable contribution.”
OTDF Trust Administration Manager Mr. Johanis Saferius congratulated the association’s women leaders for spearheading development efforts within their Wai Tri communities. He remarked, “Projects are selected and approved for specific reasons, and it is vital to follow this process. I encourage you to take good care of this asset to ensure it serves the community effectively for many years to come.”
Mr Philemon Nahuet OTDF Regional Development Coordinator (L) presents the fuel line and engine safety key of the women’s association administration dinghy to Mrs Ukins (R) at the Kiunga waterfront, witnessed by the OTDF PSSD Manager Moses Kalup and the Atkamba community members.
The handover ceremony, held at the Kiunga waterfront, was attended by association executives, community members, and OTDF staff and management, marking a significant milestone in the association’s ongoing development efforts.
Maritime Cadetship Program cadets show progress in training
L- R in white safety helmets: Apolonarish Wilson, Jacklyn Jeremiah, and, Sailes Waimona with their sponsors on board MV Fly Challenger.
Cadets in the Maritime Cadetship Program are maintaining high standards during their sea time training. Three cadets managed by the Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) have progressed well so far in their four months at sea, impressing their captain with their dedication and eagerness to succeed.
Captain Allan Indi praised cadets Jacklyn Jeremiah, Apolonarish Wilson, and Sailes Waimona for their commitment and focus while aboard the MV Fly Challenger. “I am strict with duties on the ship. When they seek help, I guide them by asking questions and assessing their responses. Confident answers show me they are learning. To pass exams at college, you must pass sea training, as most learning happens on the job,” he said. Captain Allan noted that many cadets fail when they lose sight of their goals and purpose. He said: “I have spent over 15 years travelling the Fly River and serving the people of Western Province see this cadetship program as an opportunity for more locals to take on a career in maritime.
Jeremiah, Wilson, and Waimona began their sea time training four months ago on the P&O vessel contracted to Ok Tedi Mining Limited, the Fly Challenger. The cadets gave a tour of the ship to the OTDF team, led by Community Education Service scholarship officer Shemila Kasi, and explained their roles.
Deck cadet Jacklyn Jeremiah feels confident in her deck duties. “When on deck, I have less supervision, which boosts my confidence in leading loading operations. The crew treats me as an equal but provides guidance when needed,” she said.
Engine room Cadet Apolonarish Wilson, aspiring to be a ship engineer, is determined to complete his training and become a chief engineer. “It’s challenging, but the engine room team supports me. I’ve learned that practical work is different from theory, and it’s essential to seek guidance and ask questions,” he shared.
Deck Cadet Sailas Waimona, who had additional weeks of training before his peers joined, is now enjoying his time at sea. “Initially, I felt lost and shy to ask for help, but now I’m more comfortable and enjoying the experience. I encourage others to face challenges and make sacrifices to reap the benefits later,” he advised.
The cadets expressed gratitude to Captain Allan Indi and the current crew, for their mentorship. The captain said, “I train them to be better when they fulfil all requirements, when they do so, I am satisfied. They have a bright future in the maritime industry,” he said.
Additionally, Mate 3 Cadet Officer Primrose Aioge, who passed her exams last year at the Maritime College in Madang, is on board the Fly Challenger. Ms. Aioge, from the Middle Fly District, is continuing her training under the OTDF maritime cadetship program as a Mate 3 Deck Cadet.
Ambaga farmers request rice mill
Ambogono Ekeak (L) gives the rice to OTDF Regional Development Officer Veao Nami (R). Looking on is Trust Administrator and OTDF CEO
Amidst the hot and humid climate along the West bank villages of the Alice (Ok Tedi) River of Western Province, rice grows in abundance.
Ambaga Village Planning Committee (VPC) Chairman Caleb Konmop, said his community members are hardworking people with a lot of land available to farm, but need technical support to improve rice production.
He showcased the rice harvest of a villager during a recent infrastructure launch on Friday 19 April, to development partners who were present to witness the event.
He introduced Ambogono Ekeak a young man who started planting rice in 2021.
Ambogono is a strong and energetic man who provides for his family through upland rice farming and subsistence gardening.
He has been seeking assistance from public and private development partners to help provide technical advice and equipment.
“I plant rice with the resources I have and harvest rice for family consumption, I can only mill a certain portion using an improvised hand mill made from wood, but would rather have a milling machine to mill more rice to feed my family and sell the surplus.”
Ambogono presented 7 kilograms of rice from a recent harvest to Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF) Regional Development Coordinator for North Fly, Mr Veao Nami, as a token of appreciation and to show that Ambaga villagers can grow rice.
“We would benefit more from a rice mill, proper tools and equipment, and technical agriculture field support. I can’t do this on my own, I need support. This is my need. “We also need proper factories and market access for our vanilla, eaglewood and other commodities grown in the district,” he said.
Ambogono said more could be done for the Community Mine Continuation Agreement (CMCA) villages in Western Province, who were highly dependent on the mine.
OTDF made a commitment to support Mr. Ambogono and rice farmers of Ambaga and surrounding communities under its food security program.
Who We Are
Each executive and board member, team and individual involved with OTDF is an essential part of achieving the goal of allowing the residents of Western Province to have greater choices in mapping out their own direction to live better lives.
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What We Do
Operating independently of OTML since 2009, we are proud to have 50 full-time staff, 60 part-time staff, and committed volunteers throughout Western Province dedicated to ensuring our objectives and goals are aligned with those of the communities for which we serve.
To date, we have achieved significant outcomes across our investment portfolio and all five pillars of CMCA community development.
Economic Development
From inception as an independent organisation in 2010, OTDF has worked tirelessly with the CMCA communities to establish family and village-based economic and food production options.
Women's & Youth Development
Developing women and youth aspirations following the intensive consultative community engagement in the communities and mine villages.
Infrastructure Development
OTDF continues to focus on infrastructure delivery for communities to gain easier access to regional centres and government services, and to get produce to markets.
Community Health
The OTDF Strategic 5-year plan goal for the Health Sector is the CMCA primary health care service delivery strengthened and in line with the Western Province & National Health Plans.
Community Education
The OTDF Education Sector goals are to improve to quality education services, improve teacher education and training.
Our Communities
Western Province
North Fly District
Middle Fly District
South Fly District
Annual Reports
Our latest Annual Report is a comprehensive report of what OTDF has achieved and defines/outlines our ongoing priorities and goals going forward.
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Each month, our OTDF media team creates a PDF newsletter that encapsulates the many activities and achievements by OTDF, partners and communities.
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OTDF is committed to cooperation and integration of ideas from our community, therefore, we are always interested in what you have to say.